Elida gets by Cougars in 2 overtimes

DAVE MOSIER/independent sports

LIMA — It was another typical Van Wert-Elida boys’ basketball game, with this one taking six quarters before a free throw by the Bulldogs won it, 65-64, during Division II sectional action at Lima Senior High School.

The Cougars led for three quarters, before Elida got on track in the fourth quarter, outscoring Van Wert 18-11 to tie the game up at 47 apiece at the end of regulation. Both teams had six points in the first overtime, but Dakota Mathias hit one of two free throws with less than a second on the clock to get the win for Elida. The Cougars’ AJ Smith had one final shot at the win, but his three-point attempt missed by inches and it was the Bulldogs moving forward.

With the win, Elida goes to 15-8 on the year, while the Cougars end their season at 11-12, one of the rare losing seasons for Cougar mentor Dave Froelich.

Connor Holliday had the hot hand for Van Wert, scoring 28 points, including 5 of 5 from beyond the arc and five two-pointers, while Smith added 13 points and Caleb Markward and Matt Bidlack each had 8 for the Cougars. Elida was led by Mathias’ 20 points, while Austin Allemeier was right behind with 19 counters for the Bulldogs. Two other Elida players were in double figures: Louis Gray with 12 points and Marquevious Wilson, with 10 markers.

Holliday was Van Wert’s offensive key, tying the game up at 53 apiece at the end of the first overtime and hitting a three-pointer that tied the game at 64-all prior to Mathias’ winning free throw.

Statistically, the Cougars were held to 38.2 percent shooting from two-point range (13 of 34), but hit 8 of 17 three-point attempts (47.1 percent) for an overall field goal performance of 41.2 percent). Van Wert was 14 of 24 at the free-throw line (58.3 percent). The Bulldogs hit 13 of 27 two-point attempts (48.1 percent) and were 8 of 18 from three-point range (44.4 percent) for an overall field goal percentage of 46.7. Elida was 15 of 21 from the line (71.4 percent).

The Bulldogs also led in the battle for rebounds, bringing down 30 caroms to 23 for Van Wert. The Cougars had fewer turnovers, 11-13.

Elida will move on to play Celina in the sectional finals on Friday.